“STROKES FOR STROKE”

LONDONDERRY, NH – United States Masters Swimming is partnering with the National Stroke Association and USA Water Polo in a national “Strokes for Stroke” awareness campaign to help fight stroke, the third leading cause of death in this country. Between June 2 and July 4, 2000, local swimmers will join together with more than 25,000 people throughout the United States to swim around the world to highlight this health risk in the national media. At the end of the event, swimmers will have raised more than $625,000 and swum at least 25,000 miles.

Everyone can participate in “Strokes for Stroke.” All one has to do is sign up, pay a $25 registration fee, and swim one mile for fun within the timeframe of the event. Individual or group participation is welcome. Friends and family can join together on a single registration and each swim a portion of the mile. If only half of the U.S. Masters Swimming membership participate and swims just one mile, the organization will contribute 20,000 miles to the goal of swimming around the world and will raise $400,000.

“Strokes for Stroke” is designed to increase visibility and educate the public about stroke. Half of the proceeds generated from this swim around the world will go to the National Stroke Association for their continuing educational programs, and to help reduce the incidence and impact of stroke. U.S. Masters Swimming and USA Water Polo, who are making this program possible by promoting it to their members, will each receive a quarter of the profits. USA Water Polo will use the funds they receive to support their Olympic team. U.S. Masters Swimming will donate their proceeds to the U.S. Masters Swimming Foundation for research in adult health, fitness, and competition.

“We encourage all masters swimmers to participate in this event,” says Nancy Ridout, president of U.S. Masters Swimming. “We are happy to be a part of the effort to create awareness of and help fight stroke.”

For additional information, or to register for the event, visit the “Strokes for Stroke” website at www.strokesforstroke.org. Participants can also register at www.signmeup.com (click on “Strokes for Stroke” button) or by calling (the toll free number) 1-800-STROKES.